By Phesheya Ian Kunene
MBABANE – Meet Sithembiso Shiba – the man from Mdzangwini who turned a dusty hustle into a smooth ride to success.
From the backroads of Mdzangwini, past Fonteyn in the outskirts of Mbabane, comes a tale that deserves a front seat. Sithembiso Shiba, affectionately known as ‘Var’, is not just a driving instructor, he’s a game-changer, a dream chaser and a certified inspiration behind the wheel.
He may have dropped out of school in Grade 7, but Shiba never let that define him. With nothing but faith, determination and a borrowed opportunity, he went from being an instructor at Kate Driving School to owning Zwile Driving School, one of the busiest and most respected in the capital city.
“I didn’t finish school, but I told myself this is not how my story ends,” he says, confidently parked in one of his branded training cars. “God gave me a second chance, and I’m driving it full throttle.”
A Man on a Mission
Today, Shiba is known for producing top-tier drivers, some of them from the royal family, and he’s doing more than just teaching people how to reverse or parallel park.
“I’m building confident, responsible drivers,” he says. “Good drivers make safer roads, and safer roads save lives.”
Shiba has a no-nonsense but uplifting style of teaching that connects with his students. Many call him a mentor. Some call him a therapist. He calls it his ministry.
“When I’m teaching, it’s not just about driving. I listen to their stories. I advise. I pray with them,” he says. “Some things they can’t even tell their parents, they tell me.”
His day starts at 5 a.m, no alarm needed. “It’s in my head,” he smiles. “I wake up, I pray, I clean my car. I respect my business and my clients.”
He puts in long hours, offering up to four two-hour lessons daily, seven days a week. And if a student shows commitment but can’t afford the fees? He steps in.
“I’ve taught many students for free. I’ve been broke too, so I understand,” he says. “I know what it’s like to have the dream but not the money.”
From One Car to a Fleet
In just five years, Zwile Driving School has grown into a brand. Shiba now employs two other instructors and owns two vehicles. He lives in a two-bedroom apartment in Mbabane and is developing a plot to build rental flats, all from the fruits of his business.
“Every month, I see progress. Every client that comes in is a blessing,” he beams.
His dream is to expand Zwile Driving School across Eswatini, creating more job opportunities for others and continuing to empower the youth.
Clean Record, Clear Vision
With more than 20 years of driving experience and not a single speeding ticket, Shiba takes his craft seriously. “Confidence is key,” he says. “In Mbabane, traffic can be wild. If someone is hooting behind you, don’t panic. Let them pass. Keep calm and carry on.”
He says his approach builds discipline and road sense, values he believes are missing in many of today’s impatient drivers.
To the Youth: Stay in Your Lane, but Keep Moving
Shiba has one message to the youth: “Don’t wait for handouts. Start where you are. Clean shoes. Sell sweets. Wash cars. I started with nothing. Now I’m building flats from the money I made in the streets.”
He adds, “God honours hustle. Stay prayed up and show up for your dreams.”
So next time you spot a student car snaking through the streets of Mbabane, honk twice – you might just be driving past the man who turned his struggle into a legacy: Sithembiso Shiba, the king of the clutch and the heart of Mdzangwini.
